1
2
as in populace
the body of the community as contrasted with the elite
tensions mounted until the people rose up in rebellion
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in family
a group of persons who come from the same ancestor
introduced my new boyfriend to my people
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to inhabit
to supply with inhabitants
a science-fiction novel about a mission to people Mars
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of people
Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2025
Our ancestors peopled the most lonesome reaches of the globe, from Hawaii to Easter Island, in the span of just a few thousand years.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
But unlike Michelangelo, who was known for his muscular figures, Butcher peopled his chapel with his signature sprites.
—Penelope Green, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
Costner, who also co-wrote the script (with Jon Baird and Mark Kasdan), may not have the best control of this sprawling story peopled with a giant and somewhat confusing roster of characters.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for people
Verb
By Meaghan Garvey February 13, 2025 Image by Chris Panicker, photo by Chris Weeks/WireImage
Know that all of Nature is but a magic theater,
that the great Mother is the master magician,
and that this whole world is peopled by her many parts.
—Meaghan Garvey, Pitchfork, 13 Feb. 2025
Our ancestors peopled the most lonesome reaches of the globe, from Hawaii to Easter Island, in the span of just a few thousand years.
—Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 21 Oct. 2024
But unlike Michelangelo, who was known for his muscular figures, Butcher peopled his chapel with his signature sprites.
—Penelope Green, Baltimore Sun, 1 July 2024
Costner, who also co-wrote the script (with Jon Baird and Mark Kasdan), may not have the best control of this sprawling story peopled with a giant and somewhat confusing roster of characters.
—Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 28 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for people
Recent Examples of Synonyms for people
Verb
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While Australia has been inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for at least 65,000 years, the first European settlers arrived in 1788, with the first Chinese following just 30 years later.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 Apr. 2025
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Her paintings focus realistically on the design of buildings rather than the people who inhabit them.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
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While rank-and-file writers populated the picket lines and eventually voted through the strike-ending contract, much of the sturm und drang of that work stoppage was also facilitated by the work of internal union staffers in member organizing and legal departments (among others).—
Katie Kilkenny,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Apr. 2025
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Highlands Highlands is famously one of North Carolina’s chicest mountain towns—complete with luxury hotels (looking at you, Old Edwards Inn & Spa), unique boutique properties (like Highlander Mountain House and Outpost Inn), and a main street populated with charming galleries and boutiques.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
18 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“People.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/people. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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